For What It's Worth


Monday, December 7, 2015

Review: Status Update (#gaymers #1) by Annabeth Albert


26162169Adrian Gottlieb is winning at life. He's a successful video game designer with everything a man could ask for, including a warm comfy ride to Denver and a date for his sister's wedding. But he finds himself in need of a total reboot when he's left stranded at a snowy campground in Utah. Holiday plans? Epic fail.

That is until Noah Walters offers him shelter for the night and a reluctant cross-country ride. Nothing about the ultraconservative geoarchaeologist should attract Adrian, but once he discovers Noah's hidden love for video games, the two connect on a new level. Soon, a quiet but undeniable chemistry sparks.

Something doesn't add up, though. As the miles accumulate and time runs out, Noah must face the most difficult choice of his life. Meanwhile, Adrian must decide whether he's ready to level up. Is their relationship status worth fighting for, or has this game ended before it's even begun? ~
Goodreads


Source: e-arc provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Review:
I adore Albert's Portland Heat series and I highly recommend her books to readers who might be new to the M/M genre. They're always sweet, romantic and tug at your heartstrings. Status Update is no exception and is my new favorite book by this author.

Adrian and Noah are fantastic and real. They come together during odd, and sometimes awkwardly adorable circumstances but have major obstacles to overcome and I liked how Albert didn't rush the solutions. Although the road trip atmosphere speeds up the initial romance, the book actually takes place over a longer span of time, allowing the relationship to develop into something more substantial.

Status Update was full of swoony romantic moments but it also tackled more serious issues and took a more nuanced approach. For example, Adrian was already out and had a great support system so his view on it being more difficult for Noah to do the same often seemed pushy. But knowing more about Adrian’s background, I could see how he needed to protect himself and demand love and respect for himself in the relationship. For his part, Noah had to reconcile his faith – which was also tied to his career – and his sexuality. I felt like both sides were valid and Albert let both characters work through their issues on their own time frame.

Geeky gamers, road trips, dogs, family - this book has it all. I really loved this one!

17 comments:

  1. My review just went up for this one too! I really loved it as well. I thought the romance was well done and I loved getting full stories from both guys. :)

    -Lauren

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    1. It really was done so well! I'm glad you liked it too Lauren.

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  2. Interesting that as well as the more swoony element this also tackled some more gritty elements. I'm glad you loved this one.

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    1. It was done so well. Not just swoony romance but she also delved into difficult issues - on both sides. Which makes it more believable to me.

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  3. I love when couples are nerds, it helps me relate all the more! :) These two sound super cute together, I'm happy that they get into more emotional/difficult topics. I like the pull and push that these two seem to have, more realistic! :p

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    1. And they are the cutest nerds! They play games - they have adorable dogs...swoon

      But it wasn't an easy romance so the payoff was good!

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  4. Fantastic and real characters sounds great to me.

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  5. OMG! That cover! How adorbs! Yea, this one sounds like it would be something I would enjoy and I'm glad that characters seem to fit the cover.

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    1. It totally fits! You would like this Melissa! It's a sweet story with DOGS! lol

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  6. I should hit you up for MM recs. I prefer them sweet versus full on erotic. Hahaha im not used to the sparring parts just yet

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    1. Albert's first Portland Heat book is really cute and Megan Erickson's NA M/M Trust the Focus series is a good place to start. There is sex but the stories are so sweet and the characters so engaging that it should help you get over that initial awkwardness.

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  7. I've never, ever ventured into the M/M world yet! But I'm so anxious to because I feel it's a completely different world than what I've been reading! <3 I love the fact that this couple has a relationship that is so tight and the romance takes its time to develop (insta-love can kick rocks) The romances in which things are taken slow are DA BOMB! Awesome review chica! <3

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    1. I don't know why but to me it's just another romance. I either like the characters and their story or I don't.

      This was such a good story - real conflict but not over the top angst. They had insta something lol but the author really made them work for a true relationship and HEA

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  8. oh this sounds wonderful to read. I haven't read too many M/M romance...but lately I have been wanting to try one out. And I think you finally won me over with this book.

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